• Pixi Glow Tonic - is it worth the hype? •

I'd read so much about this 'cult' product and completely gave in to the hype - so I had very high expectations.

I'd read that the Pixi Glow Tonic was a gentler version of the Alpha H Liquid Gold liquid exfoliator, and as I'm a bit of a wimp (with semi-sensitive skin), I decided to go for the Glow Tonic to start me off, with a view to working my way up to Alpha H. Bloggers and vloggers were claiming that the tonic would help with scarring by gently removing the top layer of the skin, much as a manual exfoliator would do, and since I have acne scarring on my cheeks and chin, this aspect really interested me. I'd read that after applying the toner with a cotton pad, younger, smoother looking skin would be revealed to make it easier to apply make up, give a healthy glow and remover any lumps and bumps that are on the skin. So - I was very excited to pick up my first bottle on a trip to Liberty's in London.

I've been using this for 7 weeks. Nothing has happened. Honestly, I'm pretty gutted.

When something is so hyped up, so talked about, there is no other way to describe the way I'm feeling than 'disappointed'. I really wanted this to work for me, but it has truly done nothing for my skin. My scars don't appear lighter, my make up doesn't go on any smoother than when I use my LUSH Tea Tree Toner Water (which is amazing, by the way) and there is no improvement in the tone, texture or appearance of my skin. I really don't get it. I gave this product 7 weeks to work, which may or may not be long enough, but I'm just confused as to why this product is so raved about. It doesn't do anything that my other toners to do, and in fact, it's a bit of a pain in the ass to use as you have to swipe it on with a cotton pad whereas I just spray my face with my other toners.

I'll keep using this product as it cost me £18 (!!!!!) and I'm not prepared to waste it, and if it starts to work (doubt it), I'll update you. I'm hoping that there will be some dramatic difference in my skin as it's such an internationally loved product that has been famous for years. Perhaps it's just me and my skin; everyone is different - but I really feel like the only one. I can't seem to find a bad review about this product so I'm not saying to completely avoid it, but I definitely won't be repurchasing, and I'm starting to think that maybe I'm just a manual exfoliator kinda gal.

Have you tried this product?

What did you think about it?

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Daniela xo

• The London Haul Part 1 // Skincare, Homeware, Beauty •

I went shopping, I went shopping...

(in my head I sang that to Beyonce's 'I been drinkin, I been drinkin...' no? Just me, then.)

Ohh I just bloody love spending my money before I've even been paid, apparently! So I plodded all around London, stopped off in a few beaut shops and treated myself. So much so that I've decided to split this into two hauls. You know it's bad when you have to split hauls over two posts.

Liberty was first up, and I picked up the cult product Pixi Glow Tonic. I'd read reviews on the product, some good, and some that absolutely bashed it, but I'm a person who is intrigued easily so I decided to go for it. I'm so excited to try a liquid exfoliator as I've only ever used manual ones, and this one promises to reveal glowy looking skin. I'm planning on using it in the evening before bed so my serum goes on smoother and in deeper, having more of a chance to work overnight. I'll keep you posted on this as I can imagine I'll want to throw in my own two pennies!

I've wanted Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum for absolute donkeys years (two years) but I've always thought the price tag was a little steep - at £85, I wasn't going to reach into my purse lightly. However, since recently starting my first full time job, I just thought 'sod it'. So I walked into Space NK, marched straight up to it and took it to the till as quick as possible (so I didn't have a chance to think about the price and change my mind). I certainly don't regret it. This is my favourite smell in the whole world, with no exaggeration, and I can't even look at any other perfume in the same way again. The scent is very figgy, earthy, sort of unisex/masculine and it sticks around all day. I do tend to spritz 5 or 6 sprays as I love to smell the perfume all day long, so I can imagine I'll run out of it in a few months but I don't care - I will always repurchase this product, I absolutely love it.

Since hearing amazing things from Lily Pebbles about & other stories, I made it my mission to find my way there. As H&M's sister shop, I had high expectations, and when I walked into the shop I was a little bit excited. The layout of the shop is quite minimalist and clean, everything on the shelves looks so pretty and the shop smells amazing. They sell everything from clothing, homeware, make up and more which is totally my jam as I love shops that sell an array of different products. I somehow found myself in the homeware section (seriously when will I stop buying home things?!) and was instantly drawn to the lovely hand soaps. They look so vintage and I'm a real sucker for packaging. More importantly, though, is the scent of the soaps. I picked up Moroccan Tea, Fig Fiction and Breville Bakery. They smell incredible, so strong and amazing. The scent lingers on your hands after you've washed them and my hands feel smooth (and not dry!!) after using the soap. I really love these and for £4 each, I'm pretty chuffed with the price, as you only need the teeniest amount for them to lather up. I'll have to place an order when I run out of them as it's a little crazy to make the trip to London just for hand soaps... right? Is it? I don't know. I'm considering it.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Have you picked anything up recently?

Daniela xo

• October Birchbox #6 // review •

This month's 'CoppaFeel' box includes some fantastic products and is very, very pink!

I reeeeeally like this box. I haven't come across any of the products before, apart from the Balance Me Face Balm (which I love) so the majority of these products are very new to me. I could've done without yet another red nail polish as I seem to get these in lots of beauty boxes, and have built up quite a collection of them, but I'm not complaining too much as I love the look of the other products. If you wanted to see what I got in my last box, you can click here.

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm // £20 full size

I'm excited to try this as I had received a sample of this in the past and really enjoyed using it. I love balm cleansers as they're so gentle on the skin, and so fuss-free too - you just massage it onto your dry skin, apply warm water then remove it with a flannel or hot cloth. For this time of year, my skin gets very dry, so this cleanser will be perfect to add some nourishment to my skin!

KMS California Tame Frizz Smoothing Lotion // £15.50 full size

I plait my hair every evening so in the morning I just hair spray the plait and I'm left with really pretty waves/curls. A downside to this, however, is that my ends get quite frizzy. I'm definitely looking forward to giving this smoothing lotion a go as I'll try anything to keep my ends looking sleek.

Shaveworks The Cool Fix // £11

I'm so excited to use this! I don't own anything like it and I love the idea of it cooling my shaving rash down after I've shaved my legs (which happens every. fricken. time.) I get really dry legs in Winter so I'm thinking that if I apply this, then a tonne of moisturiser, my legs won't sting as much. Fingers crossed, and I'll definitely report back to let you know if this works.

Lollipops Nail Lacquer // £7

It's a red nail polish... That's all, really.

Pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip Balm in Honey Nectar // £8

This was the product that excited me the most. A girl can never have too many lip products, especially moisturising ones that have a pretty colour to them. I checked out the other colours on the Birchbox website but was definitely chuffed that I got this shade. It's a browny/nude and it goes on so smoothly. The colour is quite sheer but it's gorgeous for a natural flush of colour.

And that's it!

I'm pretty happy with this month's box and I'm looking forward to November's box already.

Are you subscribed to Birchbox?

Which products did you receive?

PS. Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Daniela xo